Violin Warrior Romance by Kristina Belle Page A

Rogers would be
delighted and eager for the opportunity. How about it, are you willing to
help?”
    Jamie is quick to response. “Of course, I want to help. I’ll
set some time aside. How about it Carol? Can you accompany us on piano?”
    “Yes, count me in. That’s the least I can do to show
appreciation for the Sergeant’s sacrifices.”
    The ladies setup a time for the following week to return to
the VA hospital. Jamie thoughtfully leaves copies of her sheet music with the program
director. As they gather their belongings and prepare to leave, Jamie spots the
soldier who during the performance was paying her so much attention. He still
has his soft brown eyes focused on her and is running his fingers through his
long, dark brown hair. Not in a creepy way as his eyes are full of admiration.
He must have really enjoyed her performance. Jamie gives him a little smile of
recognition. The metallic gleam of a prosthetic limb catches her eye. His left
leg is amputated just below the knee.
    When Jamie returns to the Veteran’s hospital the following
week she is surprised the Sergeant’s assigned floor is so quiet. No one is
rushing around with hectic activity as before. Then she hears it; a wonderful
violin solo fills the hallways with soothing music. Jamie instantly recognizes
the Mozart sonata music from her performance at the VA. Whoever is playing is
an exceptional violinist and everyone on the floor pauses to listen. The notes
seem to weep as they leave the bow then as the sonata continues to build toward
a triumphant conclusion. Mesmerized, Jamie eagerly follows the music to the
source. Sitting all alone in the recreation room near a baby grand piano is the
brown eyed Sergeant Rogers playing a violin, completely lost in his haunting music.
She silently listens in awe until the music ends, entranced by his performance.
Behind her John Weber, the program Director loudly clears his throat. Jamie, thinking
she was alone in listening to the Sergeant’s violin music is embarrassed to be caught
secretly listening.  
     John assures Jamie her reaction to the Sergeant’s violin
playing is not unusual. Even people who are not fans of classical music
appreciate his talent. He then introduces Jamie to the talented violinist, Sergeant
Rogers. She steps forward and shyly shakes his hand. “Please call me Brad.” the
handsome violinist tells her. Jamie smiles back nervously “I’m afraid Carol,
our accompanist, will be a bit late” She sighs. “It’s a bad habit of hers.  She
always underestimates driving time.”
     “Don’t worry about it” Brad reassures her. “Do you need to
warm up? We can start without her. ”
    Carol finally arrives twenty minutes later and finds the two
already hard at work. She takes her place at the grand piano and looks about,
first at her friend Jamie, then at the talented violinist. She notices the
flush in her friend’s cheeks and the way the violinist Sergeant’s eyes focus
first on the sheet music and then rapidly shift to Jamie. Thinking her friend
could use a little help Carol decides to play matchmaker for the green eyed,
auburn haired, shy soprano. Jamie is such a beautiful goodhearted woman it’s
about time she found a good man. It’s obvious Jamie and the Sergeant enjoy
working together, have in common a love for music, and are getting along well.
    After playing together for two hours the trio finishes a
satisfying practice. Carol turns to Jamie. “Jamie, have you found a date for
the symphony yet? Time is getting short.” Carol turns to Brad. “I bought four
tickets for the symphony orchestra’s latest performance. My boyfriend and I, Jamie
and her sister Sara were supposed to go. Then we found out Sara had to fly to
some conference in California.”
    Jamie nods. ”Yes, she regrets she won’t be able to make it but
the conference is important to her business.”
    “So now we have one extra ticket… unless you’ve invited a
replacement for your sister.” Carol stares